Safety training to reduce wood dust : a work method

Air contaminants remain a problem in SMEs (Karlsson et al., 2006). Research has shown that short-term exposure to air contaminants can cause health risks, and short-term exposure has received low attention compared to long-term measured mean values of different air contaminants. Yet peak exposures often explain a large part of the mean exposure. The aim of this paper is to develop a work method that can be used to control wood dust and improve the work environment of SMEs. The work method was developed by earlier research in the field of safety training and occupational health, but also through interviews with regional safety representatives in wood industries. The work method illustrates several steps, such as risk and control identification of short term exposure, safety training (creation and implementation), and evaluation of safety training, collaboration in safety training, adaptation and implementation of safety training. The work method can be used by safety representatives to control wood dust primarily through safety training, but also to create conditions for further studies on risks and safety in SMEs.